Tank Builders Scaffold Guidelines Presented by STISPFA Safety

Tank Builders Scaffold Guidelines Presented by: STI/SPFA Safety & Health Committee

NOTES • • The following materials have been developed by STI/SPFA to generally illustrate industry practice. In developing these guidelines, STI/SPFA makes no judgment as to whether such industry practice reflects reasonable care. These materials merely set forth a general method by which scaffolding for tanks and vessels may be erected, used, maintained, and inspected, and by which personnel may gain a preliminary background in the hazards of Tank Builders Scaffold. These Guidelines are not in any manner to be construed as superseding or supplementing the OSHA Guidelines promulgated under 29 CFR 1926. 450 through 1926. 454 and as listed in Appendix A, or any other OSHA Guidelines or applicable federal, state or municipal laws, regulations and ordinances. Each employer has the responsibility to follow, and ensure that its employees comply with the OSHA Guidelines and all other applicable laws, regulations and ordinances concerning Tank Builders Scaffold and the erection, use, maintenance, inspection and employee training and safety in regard thereto. There Guidelines shall in no manner be construed as imposing any liability upon STI/SPFA for any bodily injuries or damage to personal property resulting from the implementation of any of the information contained within there Guidelines. Further, STI/SPFA accepts no liability for the use, misuse, interpretation, or misinterpretation of any of the information contained herein by any person or entity. STISPFA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. By taking possession of these Guidelines, the holder hereof understands that IN NO EVENT, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF A BREACH OF WARRANTY, BREACH OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, SHALL STI/SPFA BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE REFERENCE TO OR RELIANCE ON THESE MATERIALS, INCLUDIN ANY ACTUAL OR ECONOMIC DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF STI/SPFA IS ADVISED FO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. These materials may be revised or withdrawn at any time without prior notice by STI/SPFA.

Lesson Overview Purpose: • To provide workers with introductory information about Tank Builders Scaffold. Topics: 1. Scaffold use hazards 2. Installation procedures 3. Inspection requirements 4. Dismantling procedures 5. General rules for Scaffold use Note: This training is designed to compliment the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association’s written Tank Builders Scaffold Guidelines.

What is a Tank Builders Scaffold? A supported scaffold consisting of a platform resting on brackets. The brackets are either directly attached to a tank, or attached to devices, e. g. , clips, which are in turn attached to such a tank.

Scaffold Use Hazards • Survey the jobsite for hazards – Electrical hazards – Loose materials on scaffold – Falling objects – Slips, trips, and falls – Misuse of scaffold and scaffold failure – Improper access or egress

Scaffold Use Hazards • Falls to a different level – Incorrect erection and dismantling. – Accessing the work area by climbing the structure. – Absence of or incomplete guardrails. – Scaffold platform not fully decked. – Breakage of work Precautionary Measure: Personal Fall Arrest System platform. and/or Guardrail required

Scaffold Use Hazards • Falls to the same level – Because of lack of housekeeping on the working platform surfaces (tools, mud). – Inclement weather (snow, ice, rain) • Falling objects on workers – Unguarded work platform (tools not secured in a tool tray/container, no Precautionary barricade below scaffold or toe board). Measures: – Platform breakage. • Striking objects – Especially to the head, but also the arms, hips and legs. Hard hats, good housekeeping, secure loose tools, remove snow and ice

Scaffold Use Hazards Collapse of the structure • High wind • Some solid scaffold barriers and unsecured scaffold boards increase the potential. • Secure bracket bolt(s) in a way that prevent their dislodgement (if used). Precautionary Measures: Scaffold components must be inspected prior to use.

Scaffold Use Hazards • Electrical contact – Direct or indirect by proximity to high or low tension electric lines which are either aerial or building mounted. – Power cords of portable tools and extension cords.

Competent Person • Tank Builders Scaffold must be supervised by a Competent Person. • Who is a Competent Person? – Capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards – Has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate the hazards (1926. 450(b)).

Competent Person Inspection Frequency How often should the competent person inspect the scaffold system? • • Pre-Assembly Inspection Ø Start of Job Assembly Inspection Ø Set-up (jump/move) Safe Use/Access Ø Daily Pre-shift Inspection Ø Daily

Scaffold Component Inspection Check bolt size, grade and that the nut can’t back out (if used). • Inspect Scaffold components for: – Bent, cracked, deformed angles that can weaken the structure of the bracket. – Cracked or deficient welds – Improper bolts and nuts (if used). • Damaged scaffold components shall be tagged out of service and/or removed from the worksite.

Scaffold General Requirements • Scaffold must be capable of supporting its own weight and ___ 4 X maximum intended load • Must have Guardrail System

Scaffold Handrails Guardrail System Top rail – Smooth surface and 42 inch height – Taut wire rope or equivalent member – No more than 3 inches of deflection – Note: State specific handrail height may apply

Scaffold Handrails (Cont. ) • Guardrail System (Continued) Intermediate rail – Installed midway between the top rail and the scaffold platform Posts

Handrail Rating What is the rating for a standard top rail? Answer: _____ 200 lbs What is the rating for a standard mid rail? Answer: _____ 150 lbs What is the rating for a standard toe-board (if used)? 50 lbs Answer: _____

Handrail Safety • Never leave openings in scaffold platforms or guardrails. • Do not lean against top rails or mid rails. • Do not hang weld cables, hoses, electrical cables, etc. from top rails or mid rails, they should be hung from the scaffold guardrail posts.

Installation Procedure Scaffolds shall be installed, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person.

Installation of Scaffold Clip • The scaffold clip location shall not exceed 10 feet 6 inches. • Inspect scaffold clip for proper level.

Installation of Scaffold Clip • Only Certified Welders shall weld scaffold clips to tanks. • DO NOT leave a scaffold bracket clip partly welded, knock it off before leaving the work area.

Installation of Scaffold Clip • Must be welded across the entire top Is this acceptable?

Scaffold Clip Inspection • Who must inspect the scaffold clip? – The Competent Person on the worksite • When must the clip be inspected? – Before attaching the scaffold bracket to the scaffold clip

Scaffold Clip Inspection • The Competent Person shall: – Ensure weld slag is removed prior to inspection – Inspect the welds for proper size and quality – Initial the weld after acceptance

Scaffold Boards and Decking • Use only approved scaffold boards • DO NOT rip or notch scaffold boards • Ensure boards and decking are not cracked • Remove damaged boards from service

Inspect Boards Prior to Use

Scaffold Platform Installation • Scaffold boards shall be supported at each scaffold bracket location with a minimum of _________ 6 inches and a maximum of 18 inches of overhang. Is this acceptable?

Scaffold Platform Installation • Overlap boards in one direction to prevent movement. • Boards shall be installed against the scaffold post per regulation and to prevent shifting.

Scaffold Platform Installation (Cont. ) • Max space between boards = 1 inch. • Secure boards in windy environments to prevent shifting and to serve as a support to the tank shell (i. e. , tie-wire, chain binder).

Scaffold Platform Installation • Opening between the scaffold platform and tank greater than 12 inches shall be closed by a safety line supported on the brackets. – If spacing between the first line and the board or tank shell is greater than 12 inches, then a second line is required.

Scaffold Platform Safety • Do not store heavy tools and equipment on the scaffold. • Place loose hand tools, debris and other small objects in tool containers secured to the scaffold.

Overhead Hazard • Barriers or Toeboards? – Barriers (if used): Shall be established below the scaffold area designating potential overhead hazard • Yellow and black caution tape, flagging, or equivalent markings – Toeboards (if used): Shall be capable of supporting 50 lbs. and be 3. 5 inches high.

Scaffold Bracket Review • What do all acceptable scaffold brackets have in common? – Scaffold brackets must support 4 times the intended load • When is tank builders scaffold considered complete? Includes a guardrail system Includes a platform with a minimum width of 18 inches • When wood planks are used, two 12 -inch wide boards are required. In California, three 10 -inch wide boards.

Safe Access • If the distance between the scaffold platform and the point of access or egress is greater than 24 inches, – Then stairs, ladder(s) or a ramp shall be used for access. • Temporary or permanent ladders used for scaffold access, – Must have a rest platform at 35 foot maximum vertical intervals – Or include climbing fall protection on the ladder.

Scaffold Tag System RED Scaffold under construction, not completed (erectors only), when feasible use personal fall arrest system. YELLOW Scaffold requires personal fall arrest system for use. GREEN Scaffold is complete and safe to use.

Altering/Dismantl ing Procedure • Altering/Dismantling operations shall be under the supervision of a Competent Person. • When feasible, personal fall protection should be used when altering/dismantling scaffolds. • Scaffold components shall not be dropped or thrown from elevated work locations.

Scaffold Inspection • Inspection shall include but is not limited to: 1. The correct scaffold assembly 2. Guard rails in place and adequate 3. Scaffold platform is correctly planked and secured. 4. Scaffold barricade erected under scaffold or toe boards installed.

Scaffold Inspection • Inspection shall include but is not limited to: 5. Adequate scaffold access has been provided 6. Scaffold tags (Green, yellow, or red) are in place. 7. Tools and equipment are stored safely on scaffold and scaffold is not overloaded.

Questions?

References – Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association, Tank Builders Scaffold Guidelines, April 2009 Revision. – 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L - Scaffolds